Here In Batangas

So for today's blog, I have here a list of some Batangan words that you've probably heard someone say but had not even the slightest clue what that word meant. These are just some of the most common words widely spoken here in Batangas. And as far as I can, I'll try to explain them to you so that the next time you hear them, you won't wonder what they just said exactly. 

Aba nga naman- This is an expression that means absolute amazement. You couldn't believe someone did such an amazing job. Or you couldn't believe that something beautiful came out of nothing. We don't say, "Good job." Instead, here in Batangas we say, "Aba nga naman." 

Aba'y awan- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Hindi ko alam. / Malay ko." Instead, we say, 'Aba'y awan. Hindi ko alaman."

ala- This word implies disapproval. When someone says something and we don't agree, we don't say, "Hindi. Mali ka diyan. / Ayoko niyan." Instead, here in Batangas we say, "Ala. ay mali ka naman. / Ala. Ayaw ko naman niyan." Contrary to popular belief, we don't say, "Ala eh." We say, "Ala....ay..." But other times the word "Ala" also means "hala" just like the usual expression when you see something that surprises you or fascinates you. Ala with stress on the first syllable, means you disapprove. Ala with stress on the second syllable, means you're in awe. 

ala naman- This is an expression of disbelief. Here in Batangas we don't say, "Talaga ba?" Instead, we say, "Ala naman? Sya nga?"

Ano ga?- We don't say, "Oh, kumusta ka na?" after seeing each other for quite a while. Here in Batangas, we simply say, "Ano ga? Long time no see ah." But other times, this could also express an irritation towards a person. We don't say, "Naiinis na 'ko sa'yo ha." Here in Batangas, we say, "Ano ga? Hindi ka ga titigil? Bibigwasan na kita."

Ay maano naman?- This is an expression that simply means I don't care. We don't say, "Wala akong pakialam. / Wala akong paki." Here in Batangas, we say, "Oh, ay maano naman?"

alay- Flores de Mayo. During the 31 days of May, every night there's this activity that takes place inside the chapel of most barangays. This is a celebration in honor of Mama Mary. Different barangays have their own unique ways of doing this. But the common thing is that there should be flowers showered on Mama Mary's statue. It could also be a bouquet of flowers. Others also use sampaguita garlands. In our barangay, we use all three of them. In some barangays, they prefer to use only two or one of these. This is done with a song. A guy would pick a girl to be with him to offer the flowers to Mama Mary on the altar. They would stay there for a few seconds to pray, then leave. Then another partner would go, then another, then another, until the song was done. I don't know if this is done the same in other barangays, but that's how we do it in ours. 

are- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Eto ba ang hinahanap mo?" Instead, we say, "Are ga ang iyong hinahanap?"

babag- Riot. We don't say, "May nag-aaaway po don sa may kanto." Instead, here in Batangas, we say, "May nagpapang-babag ho doon sa may kanto. Ay hindi ko kilala kung sino."

bagakbak- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Grabe naman yang pawis mo na yan." Instead, we say, "Ku. Bagakbak ang pawis eh sa pagkain ng lomi."

bahite- This means that someone doesn't have enough money. We don't say, "Sorry, hindi ako makakasama. Wala kasi akong pera." Instead, here in Batangas, we say, "Ala, ay hindi ako sasama. Kayo na laang. Bahite ako ngay-on."

barik- (Stress is on the second syllable.) This means drinking of alcoholic beverage. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Tara. Inom tayo." Instead we say, "Tayo mag barik."

barik- (Stress is on the first syllable.) This means a drunk person. Here in Batangas we say, "Ala. Ay wag kang dadaan doon at mga barik ang tao doon."

bilot- For this one, I want you to take a guess. No peeking. You have five seconds to think. Game? 5...4...3...2...1. Okay. Time is up. Bilot is a puppy. We don't say, "Awwww. Ang cute naman ng tuta." Instead, here in Batangas, we say, "Ala. Ay kaganda ng bilot."

‎dine- This word simply means here. We don't say, "Dito tayo kumain. Masarap dito." Instead, here in Batangas, we say, "Dine na lamang tayo kumain. Mas masarap dine."

ga- You could easily tell that a person is from Batangas by simply hearing this two-letter word. We don't say, "Saan ka ba pupunta?" Instead, we say, "Pasaan ka ga?" "Paano ga?" "Baken ga?" "Sino ga?" "Gayoon ga?"

ganire/garine- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Ganito ba ang hinahanap mong damit?" Instead, we say, "Ganire ga ang damit mong hinahanap?"

hayae- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Hayaan mo na siya kung ayaw niyang sumama." Instead, we say, "Ay hayae kung ayaw bagang sumama eh." There are also some other words that we end with "e" instead of the normal ending. Like bigyan-bigye, itabi-tabihe, itapon-tapune, takluban-taklube, kuhanin-kuhane, isama-samahe, pagbigyan-pagbigye, and tingnan-tingne. The list goes on and on. Best paired with "ay." Example, "Ay tabihe." "Ay tapune." "Ay taklube." "Ay samahe."

ho/oho- Here in Batangas we don't use "po" and "opo." Instead we say, "Ay uho." "Ano ho?" "Baken ga ho?"

ka- This is used in connection with other words. In other words, this means "napaka." We don't say, "Ang pangit ng ugali niya. Kanino kaya siya nagmana?" Instead, here in Batangas, we say, "Kasama ga ng ugali nong batang yoon. Kanino kaya yoon nagmana?" Here in Batangas, we say, "kaganda." "kasama" (ka-sa-ma—the stress is on the first syllable, which by the way means ugly.) "kadilim," "kainit," "kalamig," "katamad," "kasipag," "kasaya." Ka+adjective.

Ka- In other terms, this means Ale. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Bumili ka nga ng suka don kay Aleng Nena." Instead, we say, "Ikaw nga'y bumili ng suka doon kay Ka Nena."

karibok: This means chaos. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Ang gulo ng mga bata. Ang ingay." Instead, we say, "Pagsaiingay naman ng mga batang yoon. Ay karibok eh."

kainaman- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Grabe ka." or "Sobra ka naman." Instead, we say, "Kupo. Kainaman ka naman."

kumbida- This means an invitation. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Sinu-sino ang mga inimbita mo?" Instead, we say, "Sino gang mga kinumbida mo?" or "Kumbidahin mo sina Ka Nena. Sabihin mo'y dine na kumain mamaya."

laang- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Okay lang yon. Wag kang mag-alala." Instead, we say, "Ay ayos laang yoon. Pabayaan mo na."

maas- This is somehow similar to the meaning of "ulaga," which you will read in a bit. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Oh. Kapag tatawid ka ng kalsada, tumingin ka muna kung may paparating na sasakyan." Instead, we say, "Wag kang mamaas maas pag ikaw ay liliban ng karsada at baka ike masagasaan."

mabanas / banas- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Ang init naman." Instead, we say, "Mabanas na naman ah." / "Ano gang pagkakabanas dine. Ah. Ah. Bagakbak ang pawis eh."

mamumulong- In other term, this means "mamamanhikan."

naiibig- Someone's boyfriend or girlfriend. Here in Batangas, we say, "Ay sino ga yoong naiibig ng iyong anak?"

namamaraka- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Nag-sho-shopping." Instead, we say, "Ay naroon ho sa bayan namamaraka."

pagsa- If the word "ka" is at a moderate level, "pagsa" is at an extreme level. This is perfectly used with "naman" after. "Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Sobrang ganda nong pelikula na napanuod ko." Instead, we say, "Ay pagsa ganda naman noong palabas na aking napanuod." Examples are: pagsa ganda, pagsa sama, pagsa ulaga, pagsa init, pagsa banas, pagsa itim. Pagsa + adjective. 

pahapunan- In today's term this is the "welcome dinner" or a program the night before the wedding day. This is an old tradition, so I don't know if it is still practiced nowadays. But during the not-so-old times, the couple would have their dance for the whole evening. Of course, they would stop from time to time. The relatives of both parties are supposed to be there. They would put money on the backs of the couple while they were dancing. For the lady, the relatives of the gentleman would be the ones to put the money in, and for the gentleman, they would be the relatives of the lady. The money would be pinned to each other's backs until it grew. 

palakat- This means shout. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Pakihinaan mo naman ang boses mo. May natutulog dito." Instead, we say, "Makapalakat ari ay inam. Kitang may natulog dine."

pangmalakasan- This is a type of clothing that a person only wears on special occasions. In other terms, this means "pandiinan." Here in Batangas, we say, "Aba nga naman. Nakapangmalakasan eh."

papariyan- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Sige. Papunta na ako." Instead, we say, "Oo nga. Papariyan na."

parine- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Punta na kayo dito. Kakain na tayo." Instead, we say, "Aba'y parine na kayo at hayin na."

piho- This is a term that signifies assurance. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Sigurado ako mapapagalitan ka kapag hindi ka umuwi ng maaga." Instead, we say, "Piho namang mamumura ka pag hindi umuwi ng maaga."

pinais na dulong- Dulong is a kind of fish that is so tiny. Pinais na dulong is a viand. The fish is wrapped in banana leaves. You will put it in a pot with just the right amount of water and then cook. Afterwards, you can also cook the "pinais na dulong" with eggs. You will just remove it from the banana leaf, mix it with the egg, and fry it. It's basically an egg omelette. 

sabang- This is the money given to the married couples during the wedding reception. It could be from anyone who prefers to give money instead of the usual rice cooker or set of plates. In other areas of Batangas, there is a suman, and what they do is put a price on it in exchange for sabang. Example: If each suman costs PHP 100.00 and someone gives a "sabang" of PHP 500.00, then that person will receive 5 pieces of suman. But it's really not about the suman. It's about how much you are willing to give. There are instances where there is not enough suman, but there are still people giving their "sabang." 

sabit/dulot- This is given to the "soon-to-be" godparents of the soon-to-be married couples a day or couple of days before the wedding. Others also give "dulot" to individual's godparents and "Umpi." "Sabit/Dulot" includes meat (usually pork) and condiments such as soy sauce, vinegar, onion, garlic. This also includes fruits, usually bananas, oranges, apples, and grapes. Others prefer to incorporate cake and wine. Don't share this with anyone. This is just a secret. But normally, godparents base their "sabang" on the "dulot." So if a soon-to-be married couple gave their future godparents a whole meat of pork, that means they are expecting a huge amount of money in return. 😁

sampayne/champene- This is a Batangan delicacy made from the meat of goat. I don't know what this tastes like because I don't eat it. I also don't know how this is cooked. But this is a staple in some of the family celebrations here in Batangas, especially during birthdays or baptisms. This is also famous as a "pulutan."

siglang-sigla- This one is hard to explain. But with my example, I hope you'll get a hint as to what the word means. "Kung kailan may bisita saka ka siglang-sigla." Okay. You still don't get it, do you? Siglang-sigla means that you are doing something that you shouldn't be doing or that you could do later. Okay?

sinulbot- This is a street food famously known as banana cue.

siya ka- This is somehow equivalent to a threat. Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Huwag mong pakialaman yang flower vase. Baka mabasag." Instead, we say, "Pag nabasag yaan, siya ka sa akin. Tingnan mo ka."

tayna- Here in Batangas, we don't say, "Halika na. Alis na tayo." Instead, we say, "Aba'y tayna. Unat na diyan. Tayo'y aalis na." 

ulaga- This means you're so brilliant. Just kidding. This is probably one of the words (aside from "ala eh and "ga") that, when someone says it, you already know that that person is from Batangas. I mean, if you are also a Batanguena. You wouldn't want this word to describe you. Here in Batangas, we don't say. "T**ga." Instead, we say, "Pagsa ulaga mo naman."

utas sa pagtawa- This means someone is dying of laughter. We say, "Aba'y utas eh. Kainaman."

uyaye- In English, it's a hammock.

yayao-  This means that someone is about to leave. 

Here in Batangas, it is innate for us to speak loud. To others, it would seem as if we are always arguing, but that's really our normal tone of voice. It's as if we are always in a debate. Just kidding. But don't get us wrong; that's just the way we converse. So it's not you; it's us. 😁

And that's it for today's blog. I hope that you learned something. Disclaimer:This is as far as my "vocabulary" is concerned. Constructive criticisms are welcome. Bashers are also welcome...... to leave. 😁

Oh. Ay paano ga? Ako'y aalis na at pagkakabanas naman ho dine. (I want to say "yayao," but that could mean something else.) iykyk. 😁 

au revoir. 😊